Riding-saddle



2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

' (No Model.)

W. R. WILBOURN.

RIDING SADDLE.

Patented Jan. 9, 1883..

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2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

w. R. WILIBOURN.

V a RIDING $ADDLE,- No. 270,270.

Patented Jan 9, 1883.

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U ITED STATEs PATENT OFFICE.

WILLI M R. WILBOURN, on LEXINGTON, VIRGINIA.

RIDING- SADDLE.

SPECIFICATION forming-part of Letters Patent No. 270,2'70,'dated January 9, 1863,

Application filed November 9, 1882. (No model.)

10 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM R. WILBOURN, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Lexington,-in the county of Rockbridge and State of Virginia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Saddle-Trees; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention, which relates to saddle-trees, has for its mainobjects to form a more perfect seat for the rider and to'provide the cantle with side extensions projecting below the side bars,

. forming thigh-supports.

My invention consists in the novel construction and arrangement of parts, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth, and pointed out in the claims.

Figure l of the accompanying drawings is a perspective view of a saddle-tree the members of which are made of wood. Fi 2 is another perspective view of a saddle-tree the pommel and cautle of which are made of metal, and Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a cantle made of metal.

In the annexed drawings, the letter A representsthe side bars, formed with openings b for stirrup-straps. In some cases the side bars will be provided with the ordinaryrectangular metal loops for the stirrup-straps.

The letter B represents two arched pieces, united at the center by means of metal crossties to form the pominel, and re-enforced by the gullet d, as seen in Fig. l of the drawings. In Fig. 2 the pominel B is shown as made of metal, and attached to the pendants 6 ot' the side bars by means of screws or their equivalents.

The letter 0 represents the cantle, made curved, so as to secure a concave seat-surface to fit nicely the shape of the rider. The cantle in this case terminates with ends that curve toward the trout outwardly, downward, and rearwardly,as shown, to form supports or rests D for the thighs ot' the rider. These supports, in connection with the seat, extending forward to the side arches of the pommel, where it is made fast, form soft concaves for the muscles of the limbs.

It will be observed by reference to Figs. 1 and 2 of. the drawings that the rigid thighsupports of the cantle extend below the side bars of the tree, so as to secure a full support to each leg and prevent the common tired feeling in the legs of the rider, as on ordinary saddles; also, these curved extensions of the cantle enables the rider to seat himself in the sad dle more firmly and erect, thereby securing a graceful position.

The saddle-tree in Fig. l of the drawings is intended to be fitted with the ordinary straining-web and ground-seat to secure an easy and elastic seat, and at the same time prevent the rider from coming in contact with the edges of the side bars. A saddle-tree with a wide openingpreferably about four and one-half inches at the middle, tive and one-half inches at the front end, and six inches at the rear end, although it may be slightly more or less--between the side bars, and padded, does notin use rest on the horses backbone, nor make his back sore, which latter is often the case from the use of the ordinary saddles.

'= "The parts herein described composing the saddle-tree may be made of any suitable material, or made of metal and wood, suitably arranged to secure the desirable strength and firmness, and the free ends of the cantle, extending below the side bars, do not require to be fastened to skirts for support, as is now required in some classes of riding-saddles.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- 1. In a saddle-tree, the combination, with side bars, A, of a cantle having its opposite free ends curved outwardly and downward, and extending below the side bars of the tree, substantially as shown and described.

2. The saddle-tree consisting of the following members, to wit: the side bars, potnmel, and cantle having its opposite free and curved outwardly and downward and extending below the side bars, substantially as shown and.

described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WM. R. WILBOURN. Witnesses:

J. M. YZNAGA,

. D. D. KANE. 

